Solicitors
SRA reaches out over new regulatory regime
The SRA has launched what it describes as its biggest-ever consultation exercise as it seeks to engage the profession over the introduction of outcomes-focused regulation and alternative business structures.
Five firms join first SRA litigation panel
Five firms have been appointed by the SRA to its first ever litigation panel: Bevan Brittan, Capsticks, Devonshires, Field Fisher Waterhouse and Russell-Cooke.
Training reform gathers pace with all-in-one study and work, and accelerated LPC
Changes to the structure of solicitors’ training are beginning to gain ground after two major announcements. Northumbria University Law School has joined forces with national law firm Irwin Mitchell to pilot the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s plans for work-based learning. Meanwhile, City giant Linklaters is to introduce an accelerated legal practice course, shortening the course from a year to just over seven months.
Law firms face financial management duty
There should be a new core duty on financial management, along with requirements that firms disclose financial problems to their regulator, in the Solicitors Code of Conduct, the SRA has been advised.
The legal profession and the sale of general insurance contracts
Insurance mediation does not sound like the kind of thing solicitors do, but in fact many are involved in it and their knowledge of the rules around it are often sketchy. Alan Bannister of Vizards Wyeth outlines the main issues.
SRA reveals mortgage fraud crackdown
Emergency SRA inspections of firms where property fraud is suspected are estimated to have saved lenders £15-20m in the past nine months, the authority has announced.
Blog
Our vision for 2026: A shared approach to AML
We want to see law firms start taking AML compliance as seriously as it deserves. This means treating it not as a tick-box exercise or a procedural necessity, but as a serious part of company culture.
Why later-life divorce requires a distinct professional framework
Later-life divorce, often described as ‘silver splitter’ or ‘grey divorce’ cases, is no longer a marginal feature of family law practice. It challenges long-standing assumptions about how divorce work is done.
Listening, learning and leading The Solicitor’s Charity with care
As I prepare to hand over the mantle of chair of The Solicitor’s Charity next month, it doesn’t feel like an end. Instead, it feels like a wonderful journey.
